Signaling apparatus



ec. M, B926. ,60,779

J. R. HEWETT SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed August 27, 1918 lrwenJCor John RHewe/ Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

AuNrrED STATES lPA'rEN'r oFFlc-e.

i JOHN R. HEWTT, 0F SGHENECTASDY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A GQBPOBATION OIEv NEW YORK.

SIGNALING ArrABA'rUs.

application med August 27, 191s'. serial No. 251,69a`

My present invention relates to signaling devices, and more particularly to Submarine signaling devices which are automatically operated transmit any desired form of signal.

One ot' the objects of my invention is to provide a signaling device which may be located at any desired point and which may be actuated by sound waves in such a way as to automatically transmit a signal of a predetermined character, the character of the signal transmitted being independent of the nature of the sound waves which actuate' the device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signaling system in which one or more of my improved signaling devices are employed and which will enable an observer supplied with suitable receiving apparatus to determine at some -desired point the locality in which the sound, which actuates the signaling apparatus, originates.

Still another object of my invention is'to provide a system which will enable an -observer on a ship at sea to determine the approximate location or' the ship by receiving the signals transmitted b vone of my de vices in response to soun s originating on the ship.

o In carrying my invention into effect I provide a complete receiving and transmitting apparat-us which is enclosed in a water roof receptacle which may be submerged an rest on the bottom of the sea at any desired point. The receiving apparatus is so arranged that it will 'be actuated by sound waves produced in the water in the ,vicinity of the device. IVhen the receiving apparatus is actuated by sound Waves it automatically sets into operation the transmitting appa-ratus. The transmitting apparatus is arranged to transmit signals ot' any predetermineddesired character. Diderent devices are .arranged to transmit different characteristic signals. AnA observer who is equipped with suitable receiving apparatus within range of the transmittingapparatus of diderent devices and who knows the location of each signaling device and the characteristic sig'- nal .of each device is able to tell from the Signals which he receives the approximate locality in which the sounds originate which actuate the signaling devices to produce the signals.

When a boat comes within range of one of by the receipt of sound Waves to water,

my devices the sounds produced on the boat will actuate the device and cause it to transmit its characteristic si nal. 'Ihis will enable an'observer on the oat who knows the location of the device actuated to determine the approximate location of the boat.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic'of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying4 drawing 1n which I have illustrated `partly in section and partly by diagram a device which is organized in accordance with-my invention.

As indicated in the drawing a watertight casing l is provided in which the complete apparatus is enclosed. This casing may be made in the o'rm of the rustum of a cone or pyramid so that when it rests on the bot- 'A tom of the sea any cable or other device which is dragged along the readily pass over the casing. In the top of the casing l a sound responsive and sound producing appara-tus is mounted. This may be of the form commonly known as a Fessenden oscillator. As indicated in the drawing, this comprises a diaphragm 2 which isv -secured to a movable member 3 consisting of a metal cylinder which is ree'to move between pole pieces 4, 5, 6 and 7 and a stationary central core 8. A constant magnetizing field for the operation of the device may be produced by supplying current to the winding'Q. In order to produce a movement of the cylinder 3 and diaphragm 2 an alternating current may be supplied to the winding 10 which is wound on the central core 8. The movement of the diaphragm 2 in this way will produce sound waves in the the nature of the'sound waves thus produced being dependent upon the nature of the current supplied to the vwinding 10.

The device which I have described is also a sound responsive device; that is, sound waves in the water will produce a movement ot the diaphragm 2. In the usual operation of 'thedevice this movement of the diaphragm is Acaused to generate an alternating current in the winding 10 and this current may be caused to flow through a telephone receiver to reproduce the sounds which bottom will actuate the diaphragm 2. In order to generate an alternating current in this way, however, it is necessary that direct 'current be supplied to the winding 9. `This' would mean that in the present case, in which it is desired that the apparatus should be adjusted to respond to sound waves all of the time,-it would bel necessary t0 supply direct current to the winding 9 all of the time. I have overcome this disadvantage, and arranged the device in such a way that' it will act in response to sound waves at any time and be automatically actuated to transmit a desired signal, in the following manner:

On the lower end of the shaft 11 which moves with the diaphragm 2, I provide a curved reed 12 which is preferably resonant to the same frequency as the diaphragm 2. When the diaphragm 2 moves in response to sound waves an intensified movement is produced of the free end of the reed 12. This free end of the reed 12 carries a microphone 13 which is connected to the input circuit of an amplifier 14' which may be of the type described in De Forest Patent 879,532. When the microphone isnot in operation a circuit from battery v15 is completed through the output circuit of the ampliier and the coil 16. Within the coil 16 is located a movablev member 17 which carries a permanentmagnet 18 and a contact member 19. When currentpasses through the coil 16` the member 17 is held in the position indicated, the axis of the magnet- 18 being parallel to the axis of the coil. When the diaphragm 2 is actua. ,ed the consequent vibration of the reed 12 vcauses the'current through the microphone 13 to vary and the amplifier 14 is so arranged that this vvariation in the microphone current will `produce a large decrease in the current in the output circult of the amplifier. As a result the current through coil 16 will no longer be strong enough to hold the member-17 in the position indicated and the member 17 will be caused to revolve around its axis 2O by the action of the coiled spring 21 until the member 19 bridges contacts 22.

The bridging of contacts 22 closes the circuit of the solenoid 23 which is supplied with current by battery 23a. When the solenoid 23 is thus energized the core 24 is pulled down in opposition to the spring 25 and carries with it the flexible cord 26. thereby producing a rotatipn of the wheel 27 The wheel 27 carries amuiber'28 which bridges the contacts 29 when* the solenoid core has reached the lower limit of its travel. When contacts 29 are bridged the circuit from the battery 23a through the solenoid 30 is completed. This solenoid operates a series of switches 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. The energization of th solenoid 30 opens switch 31 and closes all of the other switches of the serles. The closing of switch 32 connects the batter 23a to windings 9 and thus energizes the eld of the oscillator. The closing of switch 33 connects the motor 37 to the battery 23a and thus starts the motor in operation. The closing of switch'35 causes current to be supplied from. the battery 23 to the slip rings 38 which 'are mounted on the shaft of motor 37. Switch 34 closes a circuit through the commutator 39 and the. Vwinding 102 This commutator is connected to the'slip rings 38 in such a way that when the motor 37 is operated an alternating current may be supplie'd to the winding 10. rlhe opening of switch 31 opens the circuit through solenoid 23. As a result this solenoid is deenergized, the plunger 24 moves upwardwith the assistance of spring 25 and the wheel .27 starts-to return to its normal position under the inuence of the spring 40. It should here be noted that the closing of switch 34 does not immediately close the -circuit through winding 10, but that this circuit includes a pair of contacts 41 in the forml of brushesl which bear against the periphery of wheel 27. Wheel 27 is preferably made of insulating material and its periphery is provided with metal blocks 42 l-which bridge contacts 41 when the wheel is lll() will be successively produced by the dia-y phragm 2 according to some predetermined scheme. By varying the arrangement of these metal blocks any desired succession of sounds can be produced; each individual group of sou'nd waves may be made of short or long duration and the intervals between successive groups may also be varied. In this way any deviceconstructed may be caused to transmit a characteristic signal which may be made to be different in some respect from the signal which would be transmitted by any other device. The tone of the sound produced will, of course, be dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the windinglO. By using different frequencies different tones may be produced and hence the signals transmitted from different devices may also be differentiated by tone as well as by the length and order of. succession of the groups of sound waves produced. The sounds produced will'also be of much greater intensity than the sounds which actuate the device so that the signals transmitted may be heard at a much greater distance than the original sounds which actuate the device.

In order to provide for a uniform moveby the larger wheel which is mounted on the same shaft as the member 27.

As soon as the wheel 27 starts to return to its normal position the circuit of solenoid 30`is broken. If the switches controlled by this solenoid were at once opened no signals Iwould be transmitted. On this account these switches sho uld be provided with some form of time limit device, such, Jfor example, as a dash-pot 46, to hold them clod until the desired signals have been transmitted.

In order to prevent the transmission of tof/signals from aiiecting the control apparatus the switch 36 is provided to close a circuit through the solenoid 47. This solenoid controls a switch 48 which closes the circuit through the coil 16 and holds it closed until after the signals have been transmitted. This switch also may be provided with a time limit device, such, for example, as the dashpot 49, which will hold it closed for a predetermined time after switch 36 is opened. This will provide for a convenient time interval between the transmission of successive sets 01E signals in case the sounds which actuate the sound responsive device continue.

It will be apparent from the above description that .jan appreciable time must elapse from the instant when the diaphragm 2 is first actuated by sound waves before the vmember 28 will bridge the contacts 29 to actuate the transmitting apparatus. 0n

- this account the transmitting apparatus will not be affected by sounds of short duration such as those which might be caused by an. explosion in the water, but will only be affected by sounds which continue for a predetermined period ottime.

I have described one embodiment of my invention but I do not wish to be limited to the precise form shown as it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that many changes in the structural details and circuit connection as well as in the type of apparatus used maybe made without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, I have shown, a. device which is capable of both responding to sounds' and producing sounds.

' by Letters Patent of the United While the ilse of such a device may be convenient it is by no means essential as separate devices may readily be employed 'to accomplish the two different functions.

What I claim as new and desire to secure States, is

l. A signaling apparatus comprising` sound responsive means and means adapted to be controlled 'by said .sound responsive means and adapted to produce and transmit through water for predetermined time intervals sounds of a predetermined desired *A character diiferent from that of the sounds which actuate the sound responsive means.

2. A signaling apparatus comprising sound responsive means and means adapted to be controlled by saidsound responsive means v for producing 'and transmitting through water sounds of a predetermined desired character for definite time intervals whenever said sound responsive means is actuated' for a-predetermined period of time. 3. A signaling apparatus comprising sound responsive means which is responsive .to sounds of different characters and means adapted to be controlled by said sound responsive means and adapted to produce an intensified actuation of the sound responsive means vand transmit through water only sounds of a single desired character wliici is independent of the character of the controlling sound.

4. A signaling .apparatus comprising a sound responsive and sound producing device and means adapted to be controlled by said device when it is actuated by sounds to cause it to produce for deiinite time intervalswhich are independent of the duration of the actuating sounds, sounds of a diEerent character than those by which it is actuated.

5. A .signaling apparatus vcomprising a sound responsive and sound producing device and means adapted to be controlled by said device when it is actuated by sounds for a predetermined period of time to cause it to produce for definite time intervals which are independent of the duration of the actuating sounds sounds of a different character than those by which it is actuated.

6. A submarine si naling adapted to be submerge in the water. comprising sound responsive means and means adapted to be controlled by said sound responsive means for producing in the water for definite time intervals sounds ot a predetermineddesired lcharacter which is dif ferent from the .character of the sounds actuating said sound responsive means.

7. A signaling apparatus comprising a diaphragml adapted to be directly actuated by sound waves and means adapted to be controlled 'by they actuation of said diaphragm and soadjusted as to produce a 4further actuation of said diaphragm to produce thereapparatus by sound-waves of a predetermined desired A character. c

8. A signaling apparatus comprising a diaphragm adapted to bel directly actuated by' sound waves and means adapted to be consaid diaphragm to ,produce sigv Vnaling waves of a predetermined desired character.

9. A signaling apparatus comprising a diaphragm adapted to be directly actuated by sound waves and means adapted to be controlled b the actuation of said diaphragm and so a justed as to produce an intensified actuation of said diaphragm and thereby produce signaling waves of a predetermined desired character.

10. The method of operating a sound responsive and sound producingr device Which consists in directly actuating said device by sound waves and causing the actuation of said device to produce for definite time intervals which are independent of the' duration of the actuating sounds anntensified actuation of the device and thereby produce sounds of a predetermined desired character.

11. The method of operating a signaling system which comprises soundV responsive and signal producing apparatus which consists in directly actuating the sound 'responsive apparatus by means oi sound waves and causing the actuation of the' sound responsive apparatus to produce an actuation of the signal producing apparatus to transmit during successive definite time intervals signals of a predetermined desiredv character different from that of the sound waves actuating the sound responsive apparatus.

12. The method of operating a signaling system which comprises a sound responsive and a sound producing diaphra m which consists in directly actuating said iaphragm by means of sound waves and utilizing the actuation of said diaphragm to produce an intensified actuation of said diaphragm of a character differing from the original 'actuatlon.

i3. The method of operating a sound responsive and sound producing -device which different from that of consists in directly actuating said device by sound waves and utilizing any actuation of said device which continues for a predeter-D mined time interval to produce an intensified actuation of the device and thereby produce 'during successive definite time intervals sounds of a predetermined desired character the sound waves-by which it is actuated.

14. A signaling apparatus comprising a sound responsive device and means adapted to be automatically set -into operation bythe actuation of said sound responsive -device for producin and transmitting throu h .wa--

ter signals o a predetermined desire character for definite time intervals with definite time intervals between signals.

15. A signaling apparatus.l comprising a sound responsive device and means adapted to be automatically set into operation by the actuation .of said sound res onsive` device for a predetermined period o time for pro- ,determined desire n time .intervals which are independent ofthe ducing and transmitting through water signals of a redetermined desired character for definite tlme intervals with definite time intervals between signals.

16. A signaling apparatus comprising a diaphragm adapted to be actuated by sound waves and means adapted to be controlled by the actuation of said diaphragm for a predetermined period of time lfor producing an intensified actuation of said diaphragm and thereby' producing sounds of a single predetermined desired character which is different from the character" of the sounds which vactuate the diaphragm.-

17. A signaling apparatus com rising a diaphragm adapted lto be actuated y sound Waves and means 'adapted to be automaticall set into operation by the actuation of said diaphragm for `a predetermined period of time to produce an intensified actuation of said diaphragm and thereby produce sounds of a predetermined desired character.

18. A signaling apparatus comprising sound responsive means which is adapted to bev actuated by sounds of small intensity transmitted through the .water and means adapted to be automatically set into operation by the actuation of said sound responsive means to produce and transmit through water sounds of apredetermined desired character and of greater intensity and different character than those actuating the sound responsive means.

19. A signaling apparatus comprising sound\responsive means'which is adapted to be actuated by sounds ofdifferent characters of small intensity transmitted through the water which continue for a redetermined period of time .and means a a 'ted to be automatically set into operation y the actuation of said sound responsive means to produce and transmit through water sounds of a predetermined single' desired character only and of greater intensity than those actuatin the sound responsive means.

20. signaling apparatus comprisinfr sound responsive means which is adapted to be actuated by sounds of different characters which continue for a` predetermined period of time, and means ada lted to be automatically set into operation y the actuation of said sound responsive means to produce and transmit through water groups of ated by sounds transmitted through water and. y means adapted to be controlled by said sound resaonsive means and adapted to produce an transmit through water sounds of a precharacter for definite duration of the actuating sounds.

22. A signaling apparatus comprising sound responsive means-adapted to be actuated by sounds of different characters transmitted through Water, and means adapted to be controlled by said sound responsive means and. adapted to produce and transmit through Water sounds of' a single desired character for definite time intervals which are independent of the duration of the actuatin sounds.

23. signaling apparatus comprising sound responsive means adapted to be actuated by sounds transmitted through Water and means adapted to be controlled by said 15 sound responsive means and adapted to produce and transmit through Water for definite time intervals sounds of a predetermined de sired character Whenever said sound responsive means is actuated for a predetermined period of time.

24. A signaling apparatus adapted to be submerged in Water comprising a sound responsive and sound producing device, and means adapted to be controlled by said device When it is actuated by sounds transmitted through Water to cause it to produce and' transmit through Water for deiinite time intervals sounds of a dierent character than those by which it is actuated.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of August, 1918.

JOHN-R. HETTQ 

